Regional Networks from Parents of Children with Down Syndrome – The SHARE Project

Introduction

With the grant of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the Hong Kong Down Syndrome Association has started “The SHARE Project – A Comprehensive Support Services for Families of Children with Down Syndrome” since 2005. We aim to provide a platform for mutual sharing and social support to the families of persons with Down Syndrome via our Regional Networks. This network also unifies parents whose children have Down Syndrome to fight for the rights and welfare of their children so as to improve their quality of life.

Service content

Regional Parent’s Networks

These networks were set by members to keep in touch with parents from different areas. Supporting relationships are built and these networks are widen through holding various regular meetings and district activities.

Concern Ambassador Training and Support Services

Our Concern Ambassador whose coming from experienced parents all over the Hong Kong. They would contact the parents of children with Down Syndrome in need under consent was given. It aims to promote the mutual help between parents of children with Down Syndrome so as to enhance the caring confidence of parents. To enhance the basic counselling skills and confidence of the ambassadors through visits, reunions and sharing activities, regular training and resources to be offered by social workers.

Counselling services

Provide emotional support and psychological counselling to families of Down Syndrome children and parents. Relevant information and referral services may also be provided for those parents in need.

Age-range Driven Group Activities / Parent-Child Parallel Group Activities

To concern members with different age-range and life-stage and psycho-social developmental needs, the group activities aimed at working with families to cope with those challenges.

Community Education

Promoting the concept of integration through school talks and community activities will help increase public understanding of people with Down Syndrome and create an atmosphere of community acceptance and harmony. This can help people with Down Syndrome and their families live a better quality of life.

Parents Training Group

Regular and non-regular training activities organized by the Parents Training group members to provide a wide range of training activities to sharpen parents’ competence and confidence as the caretakers of children with Down Syndrome.

Rights advocacy and Policy Concern

Unifies parents of children with Down Syndrome to fight for the rights and welfare of their children, promote equity and influence policy making. We have five regional networks. Local parent meetings are held regularly to discuss matters of common concern to parents and to offer mutual support.

What is the Parents Regional Network?

Parents from each of the five regional networks elect three representatives to be organizers of district affairs, thereby forming a parents’ board consisting of 15 representatives to act as the central committee. The committee is responsible for gathering and uniting parents from all areas to meet the purpose of setting up this self-help group. Regional representatives and enthusiastic parents build up the network to provide effective mutual support to one another.

We have five regional networks. Local parent meetings are held regularly to discuss matters of common concern to parents and to offer mutual support.

Hong Kong Island: HK Island & Outlying Islands
Kowloon East: MTR Kwun Tong Line to Cheung Kwan O & Sai Kung
Kowloon West: Shek Kip Mei, MTR Tsuen Wan Line, Tsing Yi Island, Ma Wan to Tung Chung
New Territories East: MTR Tai Wai to Sheung Shui & Tuen Ma Line Tai Wai to Wu Kai Sha
New Territories West: Tuen Mun, Yuen Long to Tin Shui Wai

SHARE Project
Contact Telephone No.
Kowloon West & New Territories West: 2718 7776
Kowloon East: 2718 7773
Hong Kong Island, New Territories East & English-Speaking Group: 3460 5093

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